Reflecting Pool Vandalism

A senior National Park Service official says the liner at the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor, damaging foam sealant installed during a $16 million rehabilitation project. Frank Lands, the agency’s deputy director for operations, said in a court filing that the Park Service reported the June 9 damage to U.S. Park Police shortly after the renovation work was largely completed. The filing offers the first public official account supporting claims that vandalism contributed to problems at the landmark pool, though some reports note unanswered questions about how officials determined the cause. The revelation comes amid legal scrutiny over the renovation and political attention from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly blamed vandals for the pool’s troubles.